Ryan McBean, the difference maker?

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 3:11 PM MST

Starring at my computer screen trying to figure out what happen to our Denver Broncos, I had nothing. Our offense is fine, not great, but good enough, our special teams are suspect, but were suspect at 6-0. The one thing that changed for me was our run stuffing defense that allowed some pass plays here and there, but by shutting down the opposing team's running game gave us a chance to win each week. This was no longer the case and I couldn't figure out why. The only reason I could come up with was McDaniel's explanation of lack of team defense and players suddenly being undisciplined. How? How does our defense go from the most disciplined to the least disciplined over night? It just doesn't add up. Just when I was ready to throw in the towel I noticed Ryan McBean's name was no longer on the injury report. Odd, I've heard nothing about his return all week so I started to do a little research to find out what his return might mean. This is what I found...

McBean played in almost 7 complete games before injuring his knee. His stats aren't exactly eye popping with 11 tackles, 6 solo and 1 QB hurry, but in his 7 games starting at DE the Broncos defense gave up an average of 86 yards rushing. In the two games McBean has not played our defense has given up a staggering 173.4 yards rushing. Holy crap! Not only that, but in McBean's 7 games our defense only gave up more than 100 yards rushing in one game. That was McBean's last game and it was against the Ravens. The Ravens ran for 125 yards that game, but 63 of those yards (more than half of the 125 yards) came on Baltimore's last drive of the game with less than 7:00 minutes remaining and the outcome all but an after thought. Coincidentally, that 63 yard drive was the drive when McBean injured his knee. Since then our defense has never been the same.

I know this sounds a little out there, a bit of a reach, at least it does to me. But, what if, just what if McBean is the unsung hero of this defense? What if his unselfishness and willingness to take on one, sometimes two blockers and his ability to hold his own that allowed other players the opportunity to make the tackle at or near the line of scrimmage? What if it's his presence that anchors the D-line on first and second down and allows fresh legs to come in on third downs to rush the quarterback? What if his return is the shot in the arm this defense needs to get back on track?

I may be crazy, but maybe, just maybe I may be right..... Just Maybe.... I guess we'll find out tomorrow...

Thanks for your time and let me know your thoughts. GO BRONCOS!

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Comments

Well, I for one don't think you're crazy

The way I understand it, left end is an extremely important position for run defense.

"People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society." - Vince Lombardi

by broncospriestess on Nov 21, 2009 4:07 PM MST reply actions

I hope we're right then, I hope McBean is 100%.

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 4:17 PM MST up reply actions

Left defensive end

isn’t that the end the Steelers exploited all game long?

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 4:24 PM MST up reply actions

I'm with you, CP.

Our LBs have been mobbed by the opposing linemen the last few games, and I think the absence of McBean has something to do with that. If you run a 3-4/5-2 and can’t keep the O-line off of your ‘backers, you’re in for a long day of getting run around, over, and through.

BTW, I REALLY like your avatar. You wouldn’t want to be a tank or an infantryman, and see that coming up over the ridge…

- Jason

I gather speed by you f***ing with me - EV

by jubei on Nov 21, 2009 4:12 PM MST reply actions

Thanks, Flying the Apache(the aircraft in the picture) has been a goal of mine for 8 years

and I’m in flight school right now. I will start the Apache course after the new year. Dreams do come true if you stay the course……

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 4:20 PM MST up reply actions

I lived next door to an Apache Ace pilot for a year.

Real cool dude and he showed me the ins and outs of the aircraft. I did get to ride on a Blackhawk once, it was a kick in the butt.

by bfree2bronc on Nov 21, 2009 4:37 PM MST up reply actions

Both are AWESOME aircraft!

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 4:50 PM MST up reply actions

Nice. and Congrats.

I used to repel out of Blackhawks, and I’ve been in a couple Apaches. Gotta love the chopter.

Quit drinking the Kool-Aid and start drinking the good stuff, and everything is always alright.

by Chuck "DeadDrunk" Breedlove on Nov 21, 2009 5:17 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks

Would have liked to have gone to Air Assault, but never got the chance.

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 5:19 PM MST up reply actions

A buddy of mine went through Air Assault.

He said it was a VERY tough couple of weeks, which is saying a lot. The guy has three sets of wings (Aviator, Air Assault, and Jump Wings), and has been there, done that.

Congrats on wrapping up flight school! Gotta say, I’m very jealous that you’ll soon be flying that sweet machine. Do you know if the Army has shifted over completely to the Longbow version? That is an impressive aircraft.

- Jason

I gather speed by you f***ing with me - EV

by jubei on Nov 21, 2009 9:30 PM MST up reply actions

The Army has

switched entirely to the Longbow. It’s awesomeness is like some 400% more deadly than the Alpha model or something. I’m in the Idaho Guard and we are scheduled to recieve our Longbows in 2011ish.
I have my Crew Chief and Jump Wings, but my when I get my Aviator Wings they’ll replace my Crew Chief wings, I think you should get to wear them both personally. I worked hard for both and am proud of both, but they didn’t ask me….
Thanks for the congrats, much appreciatted…

by chopperpilot on Nov 22, 2009 6:08 AM MST up reply actions

Sssssssssssh! This was suppose to be a secret. Now you have let it out. Guru...delete this post before Norv sees it!

Nah…I’m just kidding, but no, I think you may be right and it was brought up earlier in the week in a post. We have to do something and it seems like this game may be a pivot point of the season. There has to be some underlining problems with our defense that need fixing. I can’t believe it is a matter of teams having film on them and scheming different, they just haven’t played their assignments like they were in the beginning. Tommorro we will see what they are really made of because the chargers mean business and we have to take it.

by bfree2bronc on Nov 21, 2009 4:32 PM MST reply actions

Oops. I missed that post, I must have still been licking my wounds...

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 4:36 PM MST up reply actions

And it's like you said: it's odd that we haven't heard much about his return.

Just goes to show us how much the DP really knows or wants to know. Thanks for the post Chopper.

by bfree2bronc on Nov 21, 2009 4:39 PM MST up reply actions

No prob. Thanks for chattin....

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 4:51 PM MST up reply actions

Totally Agree

Washington ran the ball on McBean’s side all the time in the second half and we had no answers. +1

by Adam Manter on Nov 21, 2009 5:05 PM MST reply actions

It will be nice

if McBean is the answer from here on out..

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 5:21 PM MST up reply actions

Has not gone unnoticed, if you watch the Pitt game, that counter play was basically run

at McBean’s side all night, I wonder if he would of been able to stop them, La Kevin Smith has not impressed me when he has filled in, you have to wonder how good he really is when the Pats basically got rid of Richard Seymour and Smith, both DE’s, and their defense generally has played pretty well without either of the guys.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun" - Ash from Army of Darkness
"H.I., you're young and you got your health, what you want with a job?" - Evelle from Raising Arizona
"It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes." - Agent Rogersz from Repoman

by Broncoman on Nov 21, 2009 5:23 PM MST reply actions

Smith doesn't appear to be starter material

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 5:32 PM MST up reply actions

Good get chopper...If you are correct, and the rest of the guys can be more diciplined in their gaps and tackle better as a Team, we could be in for a glorious Sunday tomorrow...Go Broncos, 13-3 until we ain't!!!

Rec’d for the get!

by BroncoSense72 on Nov 21, 2009 5:49 PM MST reply actions

Thanks. 13-3 Baby!

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 6:05 PM MST up reply actions

Defensive lineman often don't rack up stats in a 3-4

their job is to keep blockers off the linebackers so they can make the plays. Missing a key DL can mess up the scheme because the linebackers are getting blocked.

by ClarkFan on Nov 21, 2009 6:00 PM MST reply actions

Great post...

McBean is our unsung hero.He seals the LE and sheppards run back to the middle.
Great post and rec’d.

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
All I want is 53 Rod Smiths. Is that asking too much????
"Peyton Hillis didn’t rip the sleeves off his jersey, they flew off out of fear."
Calijoefornia.

by boydy2669 on Nov 21, 2009 6:30 PM MST reply actions

Thanks boydy.

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 6:35 PM MST up reply actions

Chopper, hard to find fault with that conclusion

There was a reason they kept the guy as a starter. And the numbers were what they were.

When he left, the numbers took a drastic drop. The tape tells the same story.

"Wait, let me explain something to you...I'm the Dude. So, that's what you call me. You know, that, or 'His Dudeness,' or 'Duder,' or 'El Duderino,' if you're not into the whole brevity thing."

by TJ Johnson on Nov 21, 2009 7:06 PM MST reply actions

TJ

what? I didn’t realize you were a numbers guy…… :-)

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 7:17 PM MST up reply actions

Chopper, I have been doing too many numbers lately and miss the tape now!

Even worse, I had to re-watch the KC/Oak game last week on NFL rewind to figure out why Oakland lost that game for my stats column….that is torture my friend.

By the way, I did your Apache training!!! You are gonna kick some butt.

"Wait, let me explain something to you...I'm the Dude. So, that's what you call me. You know, that, or 'His Dudeness,' or 'Duder,' or 'El Duderino,' if you're not into the whole brevity thing."

by TJ Johnson on Nov 21, 2009 7:34 PM MST up reply actions

Awesome to hear!

Thanks for the encouragement.

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 7:55 PM MST up reply actions

I had the same thought just today!!

looks like you beat me to the punch

by AOB (Agent Orange & Blue) on Nov 21, 2009 7:24 PM MST reply actions

Here's what I know

during traing camp I would repeatedly elbow kaptainKirk and ask “Who is that #98?” He would politely reply, “The same guy you asked the last four times, Ryan McBean has not changed his number”. To which I would reply, “Oh yea, right. Damn, that kid can play”. The Kaptain would politely remind me that is the same response I made the las three times. The moral of the story is the kid can play.

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on Nov 21, 2009 7:38 PM MST reply actions 2 recs

That's hilarious!

That brings around another Thank You for all of your (and Kaptain’s and others) efforts of informing us of what went down and your observations from TC… And again glad you all were able to meet up and do that!

First team to three consecutive SB wins!!!! and then some, right? I think four and someone else oughtta have a 'fair' shot : )

by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on Nov 21, 2009 7:59 PM MST up reply actions

Firstfan

Thanks for making me laugh before the game!

I’m expecting McStuffing at the line of scrimmage tomorrow.

"Wait, let me explain something to you...I'm the Dude. So, that's what you call me. You know, that, or 'His Dudeness,' or 'Duder,' or 'El Duderino,' if you're not into the whole brevity thing."

by TJ Johnson on Nov 21, 2009 10:11 PM MST up reply actions

LOL

I remember that. I hope we get to enjoy Camp together next year too!

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Nov 21, 2009 11:53 PM MST up reply actions

And thanks cp!

I’m sure all-around that’s not solely the case, but you definitely illustrate the legitimate points for the agrument…

It could just be the overall flow of the mojo – his particular mojo, like flows in that specific way with and makes the Team mojo… Like, you know, that kinda Orangetacular Crushualization We like ta see.. Thanks for the post.

First team to three consecutive SB wins!!!! and then some, right? I think four and someone else oughtta have a 'fair' shot : )

by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on Nov 21, 2009 8:05 PM MST reply actions

Your welcome.

I’m sure nothing ever is ever the whole reason, but it’s given me hope for now.

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 8:18 PM MST up reply actions

Wow, not sure if that made sense...

by chopperpilot on Nov 21, 2009 8:19 PM MST up reply actions

I mean what you know, exactly....

It made perfect sense. ; )

And me too – though, in the opposite end of the spectrum (I always try to keep the whole ‘spectrum of possibilities’ in mind as much as able, LoL), someone was pointing out how since Spencer Larsen has been back and without Kern, we are 0-3… So I try not to let those thing give too much creedence, but – it is yet another thing that gives me hope, to look at it such.

First team to three consecutive SB wins!!!! and then some, right? I think four and someone else oughtta have a 'fair' shot : )

by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on Nov 21, 2009 8:41 PM MST up reply actions

Don't forget the rotation

Let’s not forget that we knew going into this season that one of the things that we were going to have to do to be successful was keep the rotation going. We were going to need fresh bodies in their. Having McBean out has hurt that too. Which I think is one reason why they’re getting run over towards the end of games.

by Fan in Exile on Nov 22, 2009 6:56 AM MST reply actions

Definitely!

Great point.

by chopperpilot on Nov 22, 2009 7:15 AM MST reply actions

I certainly hope you are right.

I hate the fact that our D did seemingly disappeared, and I don’t like not having a reason. I can’t buy that the problem is that other teams have “figured us out.” I have more faith in Nolan than that. But it would be nice to see the Broncos D stuff LT and Sproles today, to signal that they are back! And hopefully with McBean back, we will be able to do that.

Great post, great thought, great analysis, and Rec’d!

-Harvey J. Neptune

"Practice doesn't make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect." - Vince Lombardi

by HarvJNep2n on Nov 22, 2009 12:21 PM MST reply actions